COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Dec. 19

P.E.I. is limiting COVID-19 testing at its testing clinicsas cases continue to mount. Forty new cases were announced on Christmas Eve.

The provincetightened social gathering restrictions once again on Thursday after announcing 35 new COVID-19 cases. Among some of the new measures, wedding and funeral ceremonies will no longer be permitted. The restrictions will be in place until Jan. 8.

P.E.I. also said schools will remain closed until at least Jan. 10. Classes will resume online on Jan. 5.

In her year-endinterview withCBC News: Compass,P.E.I.'s chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison said the highly contagious Omicron variant might start a transition towarda world where Islanders have learned to live with COVID-19.

With provincial borders tightened and trips cancelled, delivery services are getting busy.

As COVID-19 case counts rise, and along with that an increased need for health-care workers, Health P.E.I.'s CEO says the self isolation rules for health care workers may have to change.

A woman in Stratford is bringing her family closeby covering her Christmas tree with their pictures.

P.E.I. has declared COVID-19 outbreaksat the Queen Elizabeth Hospitaland theRiverview Manor nursing home in Montague. Thirty-three new cases were announced on Wednesday.

All people arriving on P.E.I. now have to self-isolate for at leastfour days, with the quarantine timeline depending on vaccination status.The province is also mandating early closing of bars and restaurants.

With Islanders facing hours-long waits to get a COVID-19 test, Health P.E.I. is considering new strategies.

Some international students at UPEI have decided that given pandemic conditions it is best for them to stay on the Island for the holidays.

P.E.I. announced 29 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

The province issued over 50 public exposure site noticeson the weekend and more Monday, most in Charlottetown, as well as a case at Colonel Gray High School.

Here is a searchable table of public exposure sites going back three weeks. Use the search box for particular communities or dates.

Testing services for COVID-19 need to be improved, says the Green Party.

The Public Schools Branch is still working to determine how and when students will return to classes. Director Norbert Carpenter spoke to Compass host Louise Martin about post-Christmas-holiday plans.

The province hadannounced 13 newCOVID-19 caseson Saturday, including one atMontague Consolidated Schooland another at Belfast Consolidated School. One of the casesis an individual at Whisperwood Villa, which was reported on Friday. Testing clinics at Borden-Carleton and Charlottetown closed due to high demand.

On Friday,Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced 31 new cases of COVID-19, what she called a "record high" for the province. One of those cases is confirmed to be the Omicron variant.

She also announced several new restrictionsthat will come into effect at 8 a.m. AT Saturday morning and continueuntil at least Jan. 8. These includea reduction in personal gatherings to 10 people plus household members, a pause on all sports, visitor restrictions at long-term case homes, and more.

Businesses on P.E.I. are bracing for a hit to pre-Christmas revenues. TheGreater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce said its members find the new COVID-19 restrictions "unfortunate and frustrating."

Students at UPEI in the midst of final exams will now write any remaining exams virtually, at a later date or not at all, the university said in an emailed message late Friday.

There are currently 198 active cases and there have been 621 COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since the pandemic began.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick announced 265 cases and one COVID-related death on Christmas Eve. The province has 1,653 active cases.
• Nova Scotia reported 611 new cases. The province estimates there's currently 4,266 active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported 85 new cases. The province has 389 active cases.

Top news from last week

• Psychologist NadineDeWolfeshared some tips on how to cope with this week's bad pandemic news.
• With new restrictions in place, Islanders are having to make quick adjustments to their holiday plans.
• Events are being cancelled, including Jack Frost Winterfest, and restaurants are concerned as the Omicron variant continues to spread around the Maritimes.
• Islanders should have more access to rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests, says the Green Party.
• P.E.I. had already announced a series of new public health measures Tuesday after the province confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant.
• Charlottetown police are considering whether the actions of protestorswho gathered outsidethe home of Dr. Morrison over the weekendwarrant charges of criminal harassment.

The P.E.I. Vax Pass

The P.E.I. Vax Pass is now required at a number of businesses and events. Here's a look athow to get the pass, and how it works.

Here's alistof where you need to show proof of vaccination on P.E.I.

And, here's a look at how thevax pass can protect you.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Anyone aged five and up.
• Islanders can book an appointment to receive thevaccine at a pharmacy or a public health clinic.
• You can find more information about how to get a vaccinehere.

Further resources

• Here isa chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timelineof pandemic events.
• Here is a look at how coronavirus isspreading across Canada.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• New or worsening cough.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose, sneezing or congestion.
• Headache.
• Muscle, joint or body aches.
• Feeling unwell or unusually tired.
• Acute loss of sense of smell or taste.